As a result of the Compromise of 1850, Henry Clay persuaded Congress to pass the Fugitive Slave Act so it could be beneficial to slaveholders. Though the law actually hurt the southerners, it allowed the slaveholder to have alleged runaway slaves taken into their custody and from there the slaves would then have to appear in front of a federal official.
The Fugitive Slave Act also required that federal marshals help capture the slaves. As a result of the Fugitive Slave Act, The Underground Railroad was created by abolitionists. The Underground Railroad was formed to help slaves escape from captivity. People who would help the slaves escape were known as conductors. The conductors helped by offering food and shelter and transporting the runaways while they embarked on their journey for freedom to Canada or the Northern states. Two important conductors were Harriet Tubman and Levi Coffin.
Compromise of 1850
The Fugitive Slave Act also required that federal marshals help capture the slaves. As a result of the Fugitive Slave Act, The Underground Railroad was created by abolitionists. The Underground Railroad was formed to help slaves escape from captivity. People who would help the slaves escape were known as conductors. The conductors helped by offering food and shelter and transporting the runaways while they embarked on their journey for freedom to Canada or the Northern states. Two important conductors were Harriet Tubman and Levi Coffin.